Chương 28: The Starboy vs. The Duke

The Duke

"Why did the attacks from the Dark Forest completely stop when you arrived?" Guinevere's question caused the air around them to become suddenly quiet. The workers near the wall had returned to their tasks, but even they felt her question. After all, it was what everyone was avoiding to say—most of the adults noticed it. They just refused to say anything. Afraid of what it might... entail. Even Lamb turned quiet. Only Enel and Tiny had no idea what was happening.

He looked at the dark marks along the lower stones, then through the small crack left behind by the roots. He saw the Dark Forest there, still the same as before.

"Lamb. Is it... true?" She clicked her tongue and looked away.

"Is what true?"

"Lamb."

"I don't know." She crossed her arms, then sighed.

"No. I… I was not sure before. But now that she said it—yes. It stopped when you came back. Lady Mira... did not wish for me to tell you. I'm... sorry." Tiny swallowed.

"That's good, isn't it? That the vemons stopped?" Enel glanced at Tiny for a moment, then turned his focus back on the hole.

"Back when... I hurt Mother. When everything became so loud. I heard something. From there." He pointed toward the Dark Forest. Guinevere's expression did not change much, but her eyes sharpened.

"From the Dark Forest?"

"Yes."

"What did you hear?" Enel's lips parted slightly. He tried to remember the sound, but remembering made the back of his head tighten again.

"It was... a whisper," he said.

"A whisper?" Lamb repeated.

"I do not know what it said. But I think... something was crying?" Tiny took a small step away from the wall.

"Right. So your god ears are back."

"God ears?" Lamb looked at him.

"What's that about?" Guinevere also turned toward Tiny, and he immediately scratched the back of his head.

"That is what I call them," Tiny said.

"He can hear things. Sometimes." Lamb leaned closer to Enel.

"You can hear things? Does this have something to do with your ear itching before you left for the war?"

"I do not know," Enel said.

"But... it seems to happen whenever I am in distress. It—" Lamb slapped him before he could finish.

"Are you in distress now?"

"No. Does your hand hurt?"

"... It does. Fuck." Lamb gripped her hand, curling in pain while gritting her teeth.

"What can you hear?" Guinevere asked, completely ignoring Lamb's anguish.

"Oh, uh... Too much," Enel said.

"I could hear people breathing, and even the ants beneath the dirt." Tiny's eyebrow rose.

"Why would you listen to ants?"

"I just told you I cannot control it." Guinevere looked at Enel for a moment, then at the wall, then back at him.

"Can you do it now?"

"I..."

"You do not have to," she added.

"Perhaps you have just imagined that—I hear things too, in a manner. Thoughts that refuse to be quiet."

"She is calling you crazy, Enel. Represent! You—" Lamb hit Enel again, forgetting she had just hurt her hand.

"Gah!" Enel blinked, scratching his chin as he focused his attention on the veil.

"I shall... attempt." He closed his eyes, and the others immediately shut their mouths and stepped back. Even the workers stopped whatever it was they were doing, some of them tapping their friends and pointing at Enel. And Enel... could hear them all. Tiny nervously shifting his feet, and Lamb breathing too loudly... perhaps on purpose.

"Stop it." Enel waved her off.

"What? I was trying to help." Lamb also waved him off, but she soon quieted down to let him focus. His head tilted, and he could hear Guinevere's sleeve brushing against her skin. And then, the sounds... widened. He could hear the ropes of the workers, then the water on the well that was already quite a distance away. He heard a woman cough, and he heard leaves rustle. But the thing he could hear the most was his own breath. It was deafening.

"Tch..." Enel's jaw tightened, but he didn't cover his ears. Not this time. Instead, he tried to hold onto only one sound, as his mother had told him. Not anyone around him, nor anything. He tried to focus beyond the walls, the fields, and then... the forest. There was something there, a sound different from anything else. Not exactly human, but not a vemon either.... A spirit?

"Hm?" Before he could truly hear what it was, however, he heard something else.

"Horses are coming."

"Huh?" Tiny looked around.

"Where?" Enel didn't answer and only turned. The others were a little confused, but after a few moments, hooves came from the direction he was looking at. Tiny's eyes widened, and Lamb's hand lowered to her sword without her seeming to notice. Guinevere did not look at the approaching men at first. She looked at Enel, and only after that did she turn. Three riders carrying the duke's colors came into view, their horses slowing as soon as they saw the group near the wall.

"Lady Guinevere!" the first rider said, bowing his head from the saddle in relief.

"His Grace requests your presence in the manor. The young Blackwood, too. And... his friends."

"Requests?" Guinevere asked, blinking.

"W-With command in it, My Lady."

"I see." Guinevere turned to Enel.

"Then it would seem our walk is over."

"Eh..." Lamb approached, placing her arm on Enel's shoulders while looking at Guinevere.

"You'll be marrying this guy, so... we'll have time." By the time they returned to the manor, the dining hall had been set up. There was more food there than Enel had ever eaten in probably a month. This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. There were roasted meats, fruits, soup, cheese, and from the goblets on the table, wine. Lots of wine. And the one who'd provided it all was now present in the hall with them.

Ulric was seated next to the head of the table, speaking with Duke Gawen, when Enel and his entourage stepped inside. Ulric was the first to stand up, smiling at Enel and bowing his head. Then his eyes fell onto Guinevere, and he immediately glanced back at the duke. It wasn't only her who had that reaction. Both Mira and Robert, who were also seated next to the duke on the other side, looked at each other when they saw Guinevere—how could they not, when the ends of her dress were muddied with dirt?

Her hair, also slightly unkempt. If it wasn't for Lamb, who looked even rowdier, Guinevere's appearance would have been even more conspicuous. Still, they did not forget to stand up and greet her. Duncan, who was still standing behind the duke, sighed when he saw Guinevere's condition.

"Daughter," Gawen said.

"Father."

"You snuck out again without permission."

"Yes. That is what sneaking out entails."

"Introdu—""Are those melon fruits?" Guinevere cut off Duke Gawen, approaching the table without caring about what his father was going to say. She walked near Mira and Robert, standing right beside them. Mira wanted to say something, but Guinevere only retrieved a fork and a plate and started plucking out slices of melon fruit from the bowl. And without waiting for anyone, sat beside Mira.

"Uhm..." Mira blinked. She looked at Robert, then at Gawen, who had his eyes closed.

"Guinevere," he said, his voice stern. Guinevere only looked at him for a moment, then glanced up at Mira and Robert before she took a bite. She quickly stood up, then raised her dress slightly and gently curtsied.

"Lord and Lady Blackwood," she said gracefully.

"Lady... Guinevere." Mira squinted, hesitating for a moment before also bowing her head.

"You... carry yourself well."

"And you as well, Lady Mira." Guinevere then sat back down again, still without waiting for anyone else. As for Enel, he only sat after Robert motioned for him to sit beside Guinevere. Lamb and Tiny remained near the wall until Mira looked at them and sighed.

"You may sit as well." Tiny sat immediately. And Lamb took the chair beside Ulric, who seemed incredibly uncomfortable with her. And then, for a straight minute, everyone truly just sat there—only Guinevere was eating, not minding at all that most eyes were on her.

"What are we all waiting for?" Duke Gawen placed his hands on the table.

"Let's eat! Eat!" And as soon as he said that, Lamb's hands immediately shot toward the largest piece of meat on the table. Tiny was a little more subtle, but he still took the second largest piece. Enel was about to laugh at that, but contained himself as he glanced at his parents and the duke. He also glanced at Duncan, who was quietly standing near the wall behind Gawen.

"Is... he not to eat with us?" he asked. Gawen leaned back, then glanced back at Duncan.

"Well? Answer the boy."

"I only eat one meal a day, My Lord. And my duty is to—""Agh. Enough." Gawen threw a piece of meat at him, and Duncan swiftly caught it. The duke then turned his focus back to the food in front of him, tearing out pieces of meat with his bare hands before pointing at his daughter.

"So, you have been acquainted with the young lord of Widow's Wall. What do you think of him?" Both Mira and Robert stiffened at the question, Mira even more so since she was the one awkwardly seated beside the lady. Guinevere placed her spoon down.

"The well should be controlled by designated hands. Children should not be drawing water. The lower wall repairs are of faulty measure. The houses are too close to each other. The city has too many people. They have no proper waste—""Stop." Gawen lightly tapped the table.

"I did not ask about Widow's Wall." Robert listened to her words with widening eyes. Mira, however... she just watched Guinevere's face and the way she talked.

"To describe Lord Enel is to describe Widow's Wall, Father."

"And that means?"

"His people are loyal," Guinevere continued.

"Very loyal. Too much, perhaps. They also disregard most things that would keep them safe because they trust the barony will provide and save them. They are idealistic without knowing what it means. But... they have something no other city has. Their light, despite all the tragedy that has befallen upon them, they are happy people." Guinevere looked from one face to another, then folded her hands.

"It would seem I have spoken too much again."

"You have spoken exactly enough," Gawen said.

"And we should continue this talk after the meal."

"No," Mira said softly, gently placing her hand on Guinevere's.

"You have spoken beautifully. Thank you."

"Hm?" Guinevere tilted her head.

"I have never been told my words were beautiful. You have my thanks as well, Lady Blackwood." The meal resumed afterward. Some of the awkwardness was gone, but it was still there. And Enel watched all of it quietly. He did not understand everything Guinevere said, but he understood one thing. It was that he truly did know nothing. Widow's Wall was normal for him, but for the others... they were poor and sick. Several moments passed, and it was only when the plates were mostly cleared that Mira spoke again.

She glanced at Guinevere, who was now looking at an old painting with Enel and the others on the side.

"Your Grace, you have a very beautiful daughter," she said.

"She is... also quite extraordinary."

"Ha!" Gawen leaned back in his chair.

"Do not dress your words in silk, Lady Blackwood," he said.

"The girl is different. She was born that way."

"Different?" Gawen sighed, then pointed down at the floor.

"She could tell you how many bricks were used to make this castle. How many steps it took to get from the gate to here. But what she cannot do is stay still and do what other normal children did when she was younger. She talks to herself whenever she is alone." Gawen's voice was blunt, but not cruel.

"You understand, do you not? Your boy is different from most in body. Mine is different in mind and heart. Why? Do you wish to rescind my offer now?"

"No, Your Grace." Mira shook her head, then looked at Guinevere.

"I only wish to know more about her now."

"Ha!" Gawen slapped his lap, then stood up. Both Mira and Robert also stood up, but Gawen motioned for them to relax.

"I also wish to know more about your son. Boy!" Enel and the others quickly turned to Gawen.

"Your Grace?" Enel was making his way toward Gawen, only to see the duke holding a glowing word that sparked against his fingers. And then, the duke was suddenly gone. Duncan's eyes narrowed. And Mira's fingers shifted against the table. Lamb, who had been leaning back against the wall, straightened. But the three had done these things slowly. In fact, everything turned slow, all except for Gawen.

He ran around the table, the floor beneath his feet shattering with even the slightest of movement—but even the crack of stone travelled so slowly across its surface. He had crossed half the room in less than a blink of an eye, fast enough that the air also began to crack softly behind him. He looked at Enel, whose eyes were still stuck on where he was previously standing.

"Oh?" Then the duke's eyes flicked toward Lamb, noticing that her blade was leaving her sheath.

"Impressive." Gawen then turned his focus back to Enel. And he truly only looked away for not even a moment...... and yet Enel was already looking at him.

"... What?" Duke Gawen's eyes widened. Enel almost looked confused, but calm at the same time as his left hand slowly rose toward Gawen's wrist. And Gawen knew, he knew. If he didn't move away, he would lose his entire arm. And so, he twisted away before Enel's fingers reached him. The duke appeared beside the table again, boots scraping across the floor as the wind he had left behind finally struck the room. The entire room trembled, and everyone's hair moved wildly while the cups tipped over.

Tiny even fell to his butt from the sudden gale.

"W-what happened?!" he shouted from the floor. No one answered immediately, because no one had an answer. Enel's hand was still raised. The look of confusion in his eyes not fading away as he lowered his arm. He blinked, then turned to Gawen.

"Your Grace?" Gawen also stared at him, his mouth slightly agape. He turned to Duncan, who was sighing as he sheathed his weapon. Then, without saying anything, Gawen walked back to his chair and slowly sat down. He rested one hand on the table, his fingers trembling once before he closed them. He looked back at Enel and motioned for him to sit. Enel looked around him first before actually sitting beside the duke.

"Do you know what they used to call me on the battlefield?" Gawen asked. Enel nodded.

"Knight of the Roaring Sky."

"Do you know why?" Enel shook his head.

"The books did not say."

"No. They would not." Gawen looked at his own closed hand.

"Because men never saw me cross the field. They only heard what I left behind. A whistle if I were far. A roar if I was close. Duncan here can attest. Duncan."

"That... was before my time, My Lord."

"You are not that young," Gawen waved him off again.

"But it is true that I am older now, slower. But I am still faster than most Heroes, young lord... and you almost ripped off my arm." Enel glanced down at his hand.

"I did not mean to, Your Grace." Gawen's smile returned, but there was no humor in it.

"That makes it worse, boy." Gawen turned to Robert and Mira.

"I was wrong."

"Wrong... with what, Your Grace?" Robert glanced at Mira.

"I was wrong when I said you should not have hidden him from the kingdom," Gawen said without hesitation.

"When you discovered what the boy could do, you should have left Widow's Wall and lived somewhere else, somewhere far from here." Robert closed his eyes, and Mira's hand slowly lowered to the table… because that very same thought had crossed their minds numerous times in the past.

"But you can hide him no longer," Gawen continued.

"His name is already spreading. Hero of the West Camp. Blessed of Widow's Wall. By next full moon, there will not be a knight or a peasant who does not know him."

"Is... there something that can be done?" Robert asked.

"No," and Gawen immediately answered.

"I will be adding one more condition in exchange for lifting your sentence, Lord Blackwood."

"What?" Mira's eyes widened.

"You..." He looked back at Enel.

"At first light, the boy travels to the Crown's Guild with my daughter. Any talks about their engagement would happen after." Mira quickly held her husband's hand tight, but Robert only sighed and nodded. As for the younger people in the hall...

"The what?" Lamb frowned.

"That sounds like a prison," Tiny whispered.

"Is he going to prison? Am I losing work already?"

"No," Guinevere said, her eyes still on Enel.

"It is a place for young nobles who will one day command not only men, but war."

"Yes." A small growl escaped Gawen's throat.

"And if the Guild cannot teach him control, then either our enemies would tremble... or the realm itself is in trouble."